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Home Picking

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Every season, there are fruit-producing trees and bushes whose abundance isn't completely consumed by their families. Working with a network of donors from all over the Bay Area that allow volunteers into their homes' backyards, we clear these trees and donate the extra fruits to the local foodbanks.

1 

Clearing Community Trees

Many families in Marin have fruit trees and vegetable gardens on their property that produce so much that these valuable foods aren't finished. In an effort to reduce food waste, volunteers visit donors' homes on negotiated days to clear their bounties—and donors don't have to lift a finger! 

2

Donating the Produce

Fruits of Labor volunteers transport their gathered produce to local foodbank such as the SF-Marin Food Bank. These fruits are either donated through Fruits of Labor or in donors' names upon request. 

3

Tools

Volunteers bring their own transportation containers in the form of cardboard boxes and paper bags (though more is always welcome!), fruit pickers, gloves, and ladders. 

4

Leaving Produce

Fruits of Labor volunteers leave as much produce upon request for donors to keep and consume—they're your trees! 

IS MY FRUIT RIPE?

General

  • fruits have fallen from the trees

  • they separate from the branch with light pressure and a few twists

Apples

Season

August and September

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Few Pointers

  • the apples begin to turn red

  • the inner seeds have turned brown

  • tastes and smells sweet

  • apples on the same tree can ripen at different times—those exposed to more sun ripen faster

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Pears

Season

August to October

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Few Pointers

  • color turns light yellow-green

  • any spots on the skin turn from brown to white

  • the skin itself turns waxy and smooth

  • the seeds have turned brown

Plums

Season

June through October

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Few Pointers

  • they give a little when you squish them

  • they begin to turn from green to the proper color—depends on the type!

  • plums don't ripen off the trees

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Persimmons

Season​

October through December

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Few Pointers

  • bright orange in color

  • pick when still firm but they're beginning to soften because they ripen off the trees

Peaches

Season​

July and August

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Few Pointers

  • turns from green to pinkish-orange 

  • softens—it has some give when squeezed

  • distinctive "peach" smell around the tree

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